Ask Your Senators to Save Our Waterways from Uncontrolled Pollution

Source:  National Resources Defense Council

In 2001 and 2006, the Supreme Court issued decisions that have been interpreted to mean that the Clean Water Act — which protects America’s water bodies from unregulated industrial pollution, oil spills and destruction by filling — might not apply to many water bodies that are “isolated” from others, that are located far from “navigable” waterways or that are dry for portions of the year. The wetlands and streams affected by these decisions are vital to communities and the environment: we rely on these waterways to replenish drinking water supplies, lessen flood damage, purify water and support wildlife habitat.

Since the first Supreme Court ruling in 2001, government agencies have declared thousands of water bodies unprotected by the Clean Water Act. More lose protection all the time, and the government’s ability to enforce the law has been hamstrung by questions about which waterways remain protected and which ones do not.

The Clean Water Restoration Act would ensure that Clean Water Act protections once again apply to all water bodies that were covered by the law before the Supreme Court’s misguided rulings. By clearly outlining what water bodies the law protects, Congress can ensure that the Clean Water Act will comprehensively guard against polluted rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands. While campaigning, President Obama indicated that he would support and sign legislation fixing this problem.

What to do:
Send a message urging your senators to co-sponsor the Clean Water Restoration Act (S. 787).  Click here to take action.

Learn more at NRDC